Clinical Trials & Research

What is a Clinical Trial?

Why are Clinical Trials important?

Clinical trials are an important treatment option for people with cancer to consider. A cancer clinical trial is a research study in which people help doctors, nurses, psychologists and social workers, find ways to improve cancer care. These cancer research studies try to answer scientific questios and find better ways to prevent, diagnosis, or treat cancer. They also try to find ways to improve the lives of survivors.

It is important that men and women of all ages and background take part in clinical trials. Each trial has eligibility criteria (or rules) about who can and cannot be in the study. Talk to your doctor to see if this may be an option for you.

Clinical Trials at Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center

At Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, we're constantly researching cutting-edge, innovative treatment options-testing the effectiveness of new drugs and treatments to find better ways to treat cancer and improve the quality of life for our patients. Patients who volunteer to take part in clinical research trials play a very important role in advancing our knowledge of how cancer responds to new treatments, and this knowledge helps us tailor cancer treatment to better target the cancer and increase the likelihood of a response.

We participate in a wide variety of clinical trials, including National Cancer Institute (NCI) cooperative group oncology programs and industry-sponsored studies. And our membership in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) and the Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) gives us expanded access to oncology clinical trials from across the United States and around the world.

Our Clinical Trials Office (CTO) includes two certified research coordinators, a research nurse and a certified regulatory specialist who work with oncologists to ensure that all patients are screened for eligibility; that they’re provided with education and support before, during, and after treatment; and that the research is conducted according to federal regulations.